Dear Editor,

As the clock struck 12 midnight and the fireworks on the waterfront downtown Kingston took flight, Jamaicans rang in the new year with their cups straw-less and their groceries creating a scandal. This was due to the ban imposed by the Government on single-use plastic bags (scandal bags), straws, and styrofoam containers on the island. The ban was instituted because scandal bags and styrofoam are not biodegradable or environmentally friendly.

The wholesalers, retailers and parliamentary Opposition pressed the Government to delay the implementation of the ban to a later date — this in order to allow for the current stock of plastic and styrofoam to be exhausted and also for more public education to be done. The Government, however, held firm and has repeatedly stated that it will not back down and the ban will go ahead as planned.

It is now 2019, the ban is in effect, but there are a bag of questions, such as:

1. What is the replacement for the scandal bags?

2. What will be used for tea or soup cups?

3. Will the ban affect products packaged in plastic?

4. What are the penalties associated with the ban, if any?

5. Who will be enforcing the ban?

The general consensus from the public and also the Opposition is to support the ban. The Government is urged to be considerate of wholesalers and retailers.

A suggestion given is to implement the ban on a phased basis with graduated sanctions and a more effective public education campaign. This can run alongside the ‘Nuh dutty up Jamaica’ campaign, which encourages the use of garbage bins as the alternative to littering. It can be done. Let us work together.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com